Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has shared what his pals at his old club tell him about current star Eric Dier.

Dier has excelled in central midfield this season for Spurs, and is currently doing so for England. Redknapp, speaking to the London Evening Standard, believes this will not be his eventual position.

He said: "I like Dier — he has come on leaps and bounds and people at Tottenham tell me he is going to be an even better centre-back than he is a midfielder. They think he could become a truly great centre-half."

Dier netted England's opening and only goal of Euro 2016 so far with a free-kick against Russia in Saturday's 1-1 draw.

England's Eric Dier celebrates after scoring their first goal

Redknapp went onto comment that he believes Dier has a vital role to play for England against Wales, if they are to shut down Gareth Bale, who he managed at Spurs.

He said: "It is almost a man-to-man marking job without actually detailing someone in that specific role. About 75 per cent of the time, it’ll be Dier."

Wales' Gareth Bale celebrates after the match

Dier began at centre-back for Tottenham when he signed from Sporting Lisbon in 2014, and switched to playing in midfield last summer.

It was a stroke of genius from head coach Mauricio Pochettino, whose coaching has helped Dier flourish in the position.

Eric Dier celebrates after scoring the first goal for Tottenham

Without the change of position, Dier would have struggled for game time and likely failed to make the England squad. Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Kevin Wimmer are all strong options for Spurs at centre-back, and for the immediate future, he looks likely to continue in midfield.

In five years time perhaps, the prediction Redknapp has relayed may turn out to be true.

Dan Coombs

Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.
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